tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373995389494746452017-08-16T06:44:19.308-07:00A Photo or FewA photojournal of my everyday and not-so everyday amblings and adventuresMaureen Thiessennoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-11934806772261556822016-08-11T21:20:00.001-07:002016-08-11T21:20:07.567-07:00Looking Up<br />It is such a joy to write another post! It has been well over a year (probably closer to 2!) since I have last touched this blog, or sorted through any of my photos, and coming back to it all is like a much-needed breath of fresh air.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Where to begin? First of all, I write to you from Louisiana, once again. After realizing my career path in Tennessee was not what I wanted, I was blessed with an opportunity to change courses with further graduate studies at my alma mater, LSU. As much as I hated to leave the mountains, I decided it was best to take the opportunity and hopefully develop a career more suited to my personality and talents. With that said, the journey so far has been a tough one! Without going into needless detail, the weight of forging my own path and taking the lead in my career and adult life has brought more difficulty and anxiety about the future than I expected. Between some computer troubles shortly after my last post, life transitions, and keeping up with my graduate program, my photography hobby fell to the way-side.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .<br /><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzPA8VGkjXw/V60xlF-7PeI/AAAAAAAAB4k/q7FBAtxyGccfwKTBWQlLXy1m38aq449fACLcB/s1600/IMG_4709%2BEDITED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzPA8VGkjXw/V60xlF-7PeI/AAAAAAAAB4k/q7FBAtxyGccfwKTBWQlLXy1m38aq449fACLcB/s640/IMG_4709%2BEDITED.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <div class="p1"><span class="s1">F11, 2.5s, &nbsp;ISO200, 55mm&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">View of the sunset looking towards the Red River. My favorite from the evening - I like how the rich colors came through and contrast with the horizon's silhouette, as well as the decent amount of contrast that make the cloud textures visible.&nbsp;</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">. . .&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I think when we lose sight of what inspires us, and get lost in the everyday hustle of keeping up our earthly endeavors, our creativity, confidence, and hope give way to dullness, anxiety, and that horrible feeling of "being stuck." This is exactly where I have been for the last several months; wholly focused on my shortcomings and everything that is unclear in my path that I need - but can't seem - to figure out. And I think what gets us out of these ruts isn't in constant self affirmations. While it may be true that we are indeed awesome and capable, trying to convince ourselves of that when we are stuck can only do so much (I know from experience...). Rather, I think a shift of our attention away from the personal and towards something greater and beyond ourselves is what engages us and lifts our focus. What I love about photography is not so much what I manage to create with my lens - but the interaction that I get to have with the Creator of our beautiful world (who created me also!). Although photography is very much a creative endeavor, we don't actually <i>create </i>anything with our photos, we simply glorify He who created with our own personal touch and unique perspective. It's a process that inherently reminds me of my smallness, while at the same time reminds me of my significance and connectedness to the most powerful being and source of life in the universe. In other words, I'm not in this life alone, nor was I haphazardly thrown together and left to produce and prove my significance by myself.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">. . .<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1">Today's photos were shot on an evening post-run stroll around the Red River Research Station, where I am spending my summer doing agricultural research. As I was cooling down, I noticed that the threatening rain clouds didn't really deliver much precipitation, but provided some awesome cloud formations. I ran inside for my camera and took a few shots, but due to the poor lighting and no tripod, I had to use an ISO level of 1600, which resulted in some rather grainy photos. The one below is the only one worth sharing from that session.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qi2DAoBOqg/V60xl_lHudI/AAAAAAAAB40/1JjReqCN76U1oVS-s48IycUsLESjE9SzQCEw/s1600/IMG_4671%2BEDITED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qi2DAoBOqg/V60xl_lHudI/AAAAAAAAB40/1JjReqCN76U1oVS-s48IycUsLESjE9SzQCEw/s640/IMG_4671%2BEDITED.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <div class="p1"><span class="s1">F11, 1/800s, ISO 1600, 18mm</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Walking around the station before a light rainstorm. I wish I had a wider lens for this one; 18mm is the shortest I can go. But I loved the swirl of the clouds tinted the tiniest bit with fading sunlight.&nbsp;</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1">Later, after dinner, I noticed we had a gorgeous multi-colored sunset. Not your average red and orange sunset, but one with everything from red to purple. So I quickly grabbed my camera again, along with my 75-300mm lens and travel tripod, and took my bike out to the closest open field to catch the (literally) last <i>two</i> minutes of sunset. The results were much more awe-inspiring.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1hrcM3kVjo/V60xlSjfTgI/AAAAAAAAB40/D74gpqm2CoMnkkaxvrEkHFI505thxme3QCEw/s1600/IMG_4714%2BEDITED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1hrcM3kVjo/V60xlSjfTgI/AAAAAAAAB40/D74gpqm2CoMnkkaxvrEkHFI505thxme3QCEw/s640/IMG_4714%2BEDITED.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <div class="p1"><span class="s1">F11, 3.2s, ISO100, 95mm</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Another view of the sunset looking toward the Red River, but zoomed in with my longer lens. Again, I like the silhouette against a rich sunset palette, but would have liked more texture, like in the first photo.&nbsp;</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">. . .&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't say I came to this wisdom by myself. In true fatherly fashion, I believe our God lets us know what we need in subtle but very intentional gestures, motivated by His love for us. These are the musings of my soul after reading this little <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/women-trade-self-worth-for-awe-and-wonder" target="_blank">gem</a>.</span></i></div>Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-41900302352448634802014-12-09T20:43:00.000-08:002014-12-09T20:43:03.923-08:00Macro MadnessAs promised, the follow-up to my last post from the Tremont fall photo shoot. The event was a macro photography meetup, but I didn't have a macro lens so I just shot what I could using my kit lens (18-55mm). I didn't get the bokeh or detail that a lot of the other photographers got with their lenses but I learned a lot about macro composure from them. Having my new polarizing filter helped a lot with the up-close shots as it allowed me to get detail without the wet reflection on many of the surfaces.<br /><br />This was such a fun shoot. Macro photography allows you to step into a world we don't normally live in - a lot of times into the tiny world under our feet. The things we normally pass over. Photography in general really forces us to stop and really look at what's around us, and explore what things look like from many different perspectives. It was such a pleasure to spend a day with other photographers. Not only did it surround me with talent that helped sharpen my own skills, but I was able to take my time and "zone out" without getting left behind! (which tends to happen in all situations, but especially when I have a camera!) <br /><br />Date of Trip: October 11th, 2014<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLhHF7QcHpY/VIfFewxqD_I/AAAAAAAAA1w/Msd0a1Dcmc8/s1600/IMG_0939_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CLhHF7QcHpY/VIfFewxqD_I/AAAAAAAAA1w/Msd0a1Dcmc8/s1600/IMG_0939_2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/100, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table>Rain and dew drops are some of the most fun subjects to photograph! It's like seeing a miniaturized world in an upside down snow globe (without the snow). This is a severely cropped and zoomed-in photo, and no tripod at this point, so excuse the blur!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvXtjWYglZk/VIfFhOjYx4I/AAAAAAAAA14/VGWqIRFDOGE/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvXtjWYglZk/VIfFhOjYx4I/AAAAAAAAA14/VGWqIRFDOGE/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" height="640" width="498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/40, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table>More raindrops :) I had a steadier hand on this one.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cv_6uuPGacc/VIfFhn7tP6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/xRWJKR3-rTI/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cv_6uuPGacc/VIfFhn7tP6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/xRWJKR3-rTI/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f4.5, 1/40, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table>I don't really get a wide depth of field with my lens - something I will have to play around with more. Here's an instance where the polarizing filter allows you to actually see the leaves and not just a wet sheen.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Oyhz3a9LEE/VIfGImDYvnI/AAAAAAAAA2g/wM-Z11fye6E/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Oyhz3a9LEE/VIfGImDYvnI/AAAAAAAAA2g/wM-Z11fye6E/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.0, 1/40, ISO 400</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beautiful fall leaves! Yes, this is a staged photo. I wish I could say I happened upon a perfectly-placed set of perfectly-colored leaves, but hey, if people can pose, so can nature!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVqwW510uXU/VIfFjjJ5t-I/AAAAAAAAA2I/jCLh7jT_MJ4/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVqwW510uXU/VIfFjjJ5t-I/AAAAAAAAA2I/jCLh7jT_MJ4/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f3.5, 1/125, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An aster of some kind. I think.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; </div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cwvyLLHKWY/VIfGGXpVpHI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ASZ4tBbCDoo/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cwvyLLHKWY/VIfGGXpVpHI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ASZ4tBbCDoo/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/50, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Moss and Orange Leaf." Playing with some texture variation. And cheesy photograph names.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozs_oYHC1Ro/VIfFmRZVAxI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/xrYeQhb22Qs/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozs_oYHC1Ro/VIfFmRZVAxI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/xrYeQhb22Qs/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.0, 1/8, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another shot where the filter made all the difference. The leaf wouldn't be visible under the reflection without it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still working through my fall collection this year. More autumn photos to come!</div><br /><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-33298090566123354102014-11-19T15:36:00.001-08:002014-11-20T19:35:15.490-08:00My Inaugural Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYRNkNhwGv8/VGlgydMkYDI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6E53_gd2tsM/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYRNkNhwGv8/VGlgydMkYDI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6E53_gd2tsM/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0.8, f18, ISO 200<br />Figured I'd start with my favorite from the day ;) </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've been so busy I haven't had time to share any fall color photos, and it's definitely winter now in the mountains of East TN! It's no exaggeration when I say that for about 6 weeks I was <i>obsessed</i> with capturing all the pretty foliage. I just about wore myself out with all the hiking every weekend!<br /><br />Some dry weather at summer's end caused this year's foliage to apparently be less than stellar, according to locals. However, I am not accustomed to seeing orange and red fall color. Growing up, fall was something that happened far far away, in the photos and mountains of Colorado and the Smokies. But this year, I actually got to see it myself for the first time and I was blown away! So while everyone else was like "meh, it's just not that pretty this year..." I was literally driving off the road going home because I couldn't stop staring.<br /><br />Today's pictures are from about a month ago, and were taken at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's the first time I've gone since moving to TN, and while getting through Pigeon Forge was a headache, the trip was very worth it. I met with a group of amateur and professional photographers and we spent the morning capturing streams, leaves, and even river otters! I tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could from these folks - they were all so nice and so willing to talk and share advice. One kind lady even gave me an old polarizing filter she no longer needed, which helped my pictures a great deal that day since it was rainy. I also learned how badly I needed a tripod, so please forgive the fuzziness in some of these. I was literally trying to balance the camera either on my knee or just my chest for all of the stream pictures! <br /><br />By the way...these were taken with a Canon Rebel T3i.<br /><br />Date of Trip: October 11th, 2014 <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ3REru_l1M/VGlgkCnX14I/AAAAAAAAAyk/0JBcG7WCAes/s1600/IMG_0915_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJ3REru_l1M/VGlgkCnX14I/AAAAAAAAAyk/0JBcG7WCAes/s1600/IMG_0915_2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/10, f7.1, ISO200</td></tr></tbody></table>My first shot of the day. Not bad. I'd like to think I got better as the day progressed though....<br />It was a very misty day; the rain literally stopped right before we headed out. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSy9RofYUG8/VGlgg2vD5pI/AAAAAAAAAyc/3inN73XNBnw/s1600/IMG_0922_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSy9RofYUG8/VGlgg2vD5pI/AAAAAAAAAyc/3inN73XNBnw/s1600/IMG_0922_2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/40, f5.6, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8axftARA7w/VGlgfKQHU-I/AAAAAAAAAyU/oa29DvCnhgM/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8axftARA7w/VGlgfKQHU-I/AAAAAAAAAyU/oa29DvCnhgM/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/25, f5.6, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table>I like this view but was not in a stable enough position to increase my shutter speed. This is where my butt got wet...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ml7HLMOxUvM/VGlgn_Z6noI/AAAAAAAAAy0/_Bcbo4US47s/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ml7HLMOxUvM/VGlgn_Z6noI/AAAAAAAAAy0/_Bcbo4US47s/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" height="450" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/20, f5.6, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfbjyJPl3Iw/VGlgsrJQr7I/AAAAAAAAAy8/DzFOHdggpLc/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfbjyJPl3Iw/VGlgsrJQr7I/AAAAAAAAAy8/DzFOHdggpLc/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/40, f5.0, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The colors don't translate well onto the web, but this was another one of my favorites.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Loye57EChvs/VGlgutvixSI/AAAAAAAAAzE/SAOVYGtlXNo/s1600/IMG_0964_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Loye57EChvs/VGlgutvixSI/AAAAAAAAAzE/SAOVYGtlXNo/s1600/IMG_0964_2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/20, f5.6, ISO200</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9JYePemhI0/VGlg1mPUUTI/AAAAAAAAAzU/_XhosJQtNn4/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9JYePemhI0/VGlg1mPUUTI/AAAAAAAAAzU/_XhosJQtNn4/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0.8, f25, ISO200</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Experimenting with long shutter speeds. Same stream as first picture, just in portrait.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1hzI-EQHxI/VGlg2mcvSoI/AAAAAAAAAzc/gGLKpDd8C_Y/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1hzI-EQHxI/VGlg2mcvSoI/AAAAAAAAAzc/gGLKpDd8C_Y/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0.3, f20, ISO200</td></tr></tbody></table>Same stream again, but zoomed in. Playing around with composure - I was told that I tend to include a lot in my pictures and that I could actually get good shots by focusing in on a smaller section of the scene.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9pBb2wR3_k/VGlg4s6j-NI/AAAAAAAAAzk/spDmRlNM68U/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9pBb2wR3_k/VGlg4s6j-NI/AAAAAAAAAzk/spDmRlNM68U/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/2, f22, ISO100</td></tr></tbody></table>Another favorite, but it's a little fuzzy. Taken off the side of a bridge.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynaDy4CeDvE/VGlhFhpNn4I/AAAAAAAAAz0/p34Vqz05llQ/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynaDy4CeDvE/VGlhFhpNn4I/AAAAAAAAAz0/p34Vqz05llQ/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0.8, f22, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Scene off the other side of the bridge.<br /><br /><br /><br />And it just wouldn't be me if I didn't bombard you with bridge pictures...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtEIWmRo9Xc/VGlg89GVB0I/AAAAAAAAAzs/EfTXpqt-t9c/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtEIWmRo9Xc/VGlg89GVB0I/AAAAAAAAAzs/EfTXpqt-t9c/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/15, f5.6, ISO100</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZPyXAqDusk/VGlhFTFFWJI/AAAAAAAAAz4/OtXOfq6lu9I/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZPyXAqDusk/VGlhFTFFWJI/AAAAAAAAAz4/OtXOfq6lu9I/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/25, f5.6, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NG5jGwDdpsA/VGlhQm7HzDI/AAAAAAAAA0M/vgCi57-ZX7w/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NG5jGwDdpsA/VGlhQm7HzDI/AAAAAAAAA0M/vgCi57-ZX7w/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" height="640" width="584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/10, f5.6, ISO400</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />...and a trail picture<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFkP0vDphsM/VGlhIMExQfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ar-QV7Y2Lpc/s1600/IMG_1007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFkP0vDphsM/VGlhIMExQfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/ar-QV7Y2Lpc/s1600/IMG_1007.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/13, f8.0, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Oh and here's that otter!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pg-rE3ezs-0/VGlgmzVKkzI/AAAAAAAAAys/4Gb5RvpXF_I/s1600/IMG_0933_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pg-rE3ezs-0/VGlgmzVKkzI/AAAAAAAAAys/4Gb5RvpXF_I/s1600/IMG_0933_2.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/20, f5.6, ISO400</td></tr></tbody></table>He's a bit fuzzy - both he and his friend were moving fast and the longest I can go is 55mm, so this is a seriously cropped photo.<br /><br /><br /><br />This was actually a meetup for macro photography. I didn't have a macro lens so the majority of my pictures were ones like I've shared. I did get some fairly decent macro shots though and will be sharing those soon!<br /><ol></ol><br /><br /><br /><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-7991803678709480222014-10-15T18:43:00.000-07:002014-10-15T18:43:48.396-07:00Misty MountaintopsI am itching so badly to share some new fall color photos with you, but I told myself I have to finish posting my summer stuff before I get to those... <br /><br />This trip took place in mid-June, during the Rhododendron festival at Roan Mountain. I didn't actually go to the festival, but it usually coincides with peak Rhodie bloom on top of Roan Mountain. So I headed up to Carver's Gap for my second time this year, hoping to find endless pink and white blooms.<br /><br />However, this was actually a rough morning... I had planned to do a 7 mile run, and then head to the gardens for some pictures. But I woke up late, wasted an hour trying to decide if I should still go, left, then forgot a piece on my hydration pack that I had to turn around for, and then ran into rain on the way up. By the time I got there I was more than slightly frustrated. Then when I entered the park, the ranger told me the blooms were pretty much done but that I may be able to find a few. <br /><br />They always say the best things in life come unexpectedly and this was a great example. The rainy weather that I had been cursing actually draped the mountains in a heavy misty fog - something I had never really seen before but is common here during wet weather. This was my first time actually having to drive through it, and walk through it, and yes, it was as cool as it sounds!<br /><br />I decided to head down the AT into North Carolina, and I was literally blown away at the beauty I saw. I felt like I was walking through the PacNW, it was so foggy and green. Pretty soon I didn't really care whether there were Rhodies or not...<br /><br />Date of Trip: June 21, 2014<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This was definitely my favorite trip of the summer. It was a solo trip, but I find times alone are the times you are most sensitive to your surroundings, and I was blessed with a lot to take in that day! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_3dcKFuU2I/VDyRnhlrklI/AAAAAAAAAws/GvdZHd3GnQI/s1600/IMG_9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_3dcKFuU2I/VDyRnhlrklI/AAAAAAAAAws/GvdZHd3GnQI/s1600/IMG_9723.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/13, f5.6, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>What is great about misty days is the color saturation you get as a result. You have to be careful not to include sky, which will probably get washed out, but the diffused light eliminates harsh contrast and shadows that can be detrimental to color. I love the ferns and moss in these two pictures, and the soft light that they reflect upwards from the ground. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_bdGapY8kg/VDySI8DKNoI/AAAAAAAAAxc/w-23A6sccv4/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_bdGapY8kg/VDySI8DKNoI/AAAAAAAAAxc/w-23A6sccv4/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/250, f4.0, ISO 3200</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still love the green, but this picture was odd because I didn't have a trail running through the picture - it's literally just a mass of green. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgv9uM9TZUY/VDyRheIwsII/AAAAAAAAAwE/1W9yFU5mxUw/s1600/IMG_9673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgv9uM9TZUY/VDyRheIwsII/AAAAAAAAAwE/1W9yFU5mxUw/s1600/IMG_9673.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f2.0, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the start of the trail, I love taking pictures of steps as much as I like trails. They give something for your eye to follow, and in this case invite the viewer into the misty woods. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPt_OC9eJDk/VDyRdIm4NgI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ZLdTgfUBXVo/s1600/IMG_9674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPt_OC9eJDk/VDyRdIm4NgI/AAAAAAAAAv8/ZLdTgfUBXVo/s1600/IMG_9674.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f2.0, ISO 100</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;A little bit of harsh white in the sky but again, love the diffuse light and super green ferns!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMZTpv0V5ng/VDyRjQycATI/AAAAAAAAAwU/wKuvX-gH-Hg/s1600/IMG_9676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMZTpv0V5ng/VDyRjQycATI/AAAAAAAAAwU/wKuvX-gH-Hg/s1600/IMG_9676.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f2.0, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>Love the winding trail and the round rocks that give a nice focus for the foreground in this shot. Sometimes I wonder if I could have cropped this photo and had a nice landscape shot with just the bottom third... not sure....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BWyQTlYTvg/VDyRlRCo_WI/AAAAAAAAAwc/pm8R4DMGBdg/s1600/IMG_9687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BWyQTlYTvg/VDyRlRCo_WI/AAAAAAAAAwc/pm8R4DMGBdg/s1600/IMG_9687.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/50, f5.6, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>I like the contrast of the tree trunks as well as the jagged rocks, and the distance the picture takes your eye down the trail.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LW5tc6f_6po/VDyRmaFC_kI/AAAAAAAAAwk/m2m2F_qXZI4/s1600/IMG_9699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LW5tc6f_6po/VDyRmaFC_kI/AAAAAAAAAwk/m2m2F_qXZI4/s1600/IMG_9699.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f3.2, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--gL5u0vYQKI/VDySsbuZ13I/AAAAAAAAAxs/-9juRE2r_xs/s1600/IMG_9719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--gL5u0vYQKI/VDySsbuZ13I/AAAAAAAAAxs/-9juRE2r_xs/s1600/IMG_9719.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f2.0, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>In this photo the sun had started to come out, but there was still plenty of mist to soften it. The result was saturated colors and beautiful reflection from the moss on the rocks. Definitely one of my favorite shots.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZa6jZqa-7A/VDyStgrQ67I/AAAAAAAAAx0/RttrG8foPSI/s1600/IMG_9770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZa6jZqa-7A/VDyStgrQ67I/AAAAAAAAAx0/RttrG8foPSI/s1600/IMG_9770.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f2.0, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>Finishing my hike, going back up the steps I showed in an earlier picture. The mist was mostly cleared up by now and is shining through the trees.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Tnz76NDEQ/VDySEhP3sSI/AAAAAAAAAxU/PAP56IrTkLo/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Tnz76NDEQ/VDySEhP3sSI/AAAAAAAAAxU/PAP56IrTkLo/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/125, f3.5, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table>Inside the Rhodie Gardens. More moss and trees, and rocks.<br /><br /><br />I then went back down to Carver's Gap to look around and take more pictures. My 7-mile run didn't happen but I didn't really mind. I was too busy looking around. Plus... 7 miles at 5,000+ft - who was I kidding???<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eItO1fnzrPA/VDyRqQDyM0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/VaaanKmaAQg/s1600/IMG_9799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eItO1fnzrPA/VDyRqQDyM0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/VaaanKmaAQg/s1600/IMG_9799.JPG" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/250, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>Who needs rhodies when you've got beautiful native azaleas??<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkdUfcWyGxs/VDyRpaZDuII/AAAAAAAAAw0/PBifjESf8fE/s1600/IMG_9786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkdUfcWyGxs/VDyRpaZDuII/AAAAAAAAAw0/PBifjESf8fE/s1600/IMG_9786.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/250, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Another shot of AT you may recognize from earlier posts. Just covered in clouds now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMf4rDHe-7w/VDyRrseNcWI/AAAAAAAAAxE/XDFSJ-b7fZo/s1600/IMG_9806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMf4rDHe-7w/VDyRrseNcWI/AAAAAAAAAxE/XDFSJ-b7fZo/s1600/IMG_9806.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/500, f5.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>Looking out from the AT. Love the billowy clouds. Nice to have both a visible sky and visible foreground as well!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zmJifPhG_Y/VDySLoIFBQI/AAAAAAAAAxk/V2BySJB91rQ/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zmJifPhG_Y/VDySLoIFBQI/AAAAAAAAAxk/V2BySJB91rQ/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/250, f3.5, ISO 400</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I did find <i>some</i> Rhododendrons... :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-17198676662130425292014-09-28T17:19:00.001-07:002014-09-28T17:19:12.140-07:00Old MemoriesI've been meaning to post these pictures for quite some time now, but was waiting for what seemed to be the right time to do so. These pictures are over two years old, and are truly some of my favorite because of the colors and lighting, and because of the memories associated with them.<br /><br />It is with a lot of grief that I tell you my love and I separated last week. So I wanted to go ahead and post these favorites of mine before I put them away for a while. The first of these were taken on a kayak trip to St. Catherine's creek in Mississippi in June of 2012. Previously the two of us had kayaked Bayou Sara and Cat Island together, the first times for me, and the first time I fell in love with kayaking through the swamp. And I share these because it will probably be the last swamp picture you see for a while, it is just something I need to say goodbye to, unfortunately, for the time being.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEmAffW-T-I/VCXGD8z9mjI/AAAAAAAAAus/7TU1HZ8jkfM/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEmAffW-T-I/VCXGD8z9mjI/AAAAAAAAAus/7TU1HZ8jkfM/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/500, f2.5, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The sky is a bit washed out in this one but I love the pollen on the perfectly still water, and how this forest-on-the-water invites you into the spooky darkness.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdQy-tZAsgM/VCXGHOGktoI/AAAAAAAAAu8/aRxTcNtfF6M/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdQy-tZAsgM/VCXGHOGktoI/AAAAAAAAAu8/aRxTcNtfF6M/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/125, f3.5, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;This had been one of my absolute favorites because I love the contrasting colors in it - the brightness of the greens, yellows, the blue sky, and the pop of the red on the life jacket. I also think it is very sharp, even into the distance.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BhvLba0uko/VCXGFp1KBXI/AAAAAAAAAu0/QB4nXf1aVEM/s1600/IMG_1875_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BhvLba0uko/VCXGFp1KBXI/AAAAAAAAAu0/QB4nXf1aVEM/s1600/IMG_1875_2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/125, f3.2, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I like this one for the same reasons but things aren't aligned as well in this one. Some washed out areas of the sky too. But I love how far into the swamp you can see.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6G4Q9Y6u-w/VCXIhqeH6KI/AAAAAAAAAvo/PRf6zCoeRzA/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6G4Q9Y6u-w/VCXIhqeH6KI/AAAAAAAAAvo/PRf6zCoeRzA/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/400, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;Love this one for all the same reasons too, color and contrast! Love that blue sky!<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn8KK3FJ_sE/VCXGnZGBl5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/1_SOxEt-czE/s1600/IMG_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn8KK3FJ_sE/VCXGnZGBl5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/1_SOxEt-czE/s1600/IMG_2546.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/60, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Now this one gives me trouble - the sky is completely washed out, but I like it because compositionally I think it could have been a great shot. But the lighting just wasn't right. This was on False River somewhere I think.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D2hfNoQhfI/VCXGmcbX2HI/AAAAAAAAAvE/otKWi-BxWXc/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D2hfNoQhfI/VCXGmcbX2HI/AAAAAAAAAvE/otKWi-BxWXc/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/250, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Same deal here. Lighting not right, I was facing the sunset but the tree is so beautiful. This was on the Bogue Falaya in Covington, LA.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQcZLDSRIVE/VCXG23VpbAI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5sqOWPa6mNM/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQcZLDSRIVE/VCXG23VpbAI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5sqOWPa6mNM/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/320, f4.0, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>This was also on the Bogue Falaya. A somewhat dark picture in some areas but the water was so perfectly still and reflective, it was like a mirror. The color is not punchy, but still nice because the serene tones represent the tranquility of the place and that day.<br /><br />I am also posting these because I have been quite homesick lately and have been wanting to return to familiar places and faces and to the people I love. Especially during the prettiest season in the Gulf South. My love left me with the words, "find your passion and just go do it." One of my greatest passions was sharing these adventures, and it may be some time before I find another person to share these things with, in the same way. It may appear weak to say something like that, but there is nothing like sharing a passion for adventure and exploration with someone you love who pushes you to reach your limits, who is out there because he loves it too, not just to make you happy. It is a non-verbal and non-physical type of connection that is deeply satisfying. I hope to experience it again, but until the Lord blesses me with it again, I must remember I can still enjoy great adventures with myself, the Lord, and other great friends! So for the second time this year, I look forward to new beginnings, and focusing on being thankful for past blessings instead of sadness for what is not there anymore.Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-20533278215201164562014-09-11T18:03:00.000-07:002014-09-11T18:03:48.533-07:00Harvest MoonThis year's Harvest Moon fell on September 8th-9th - and fortunately we had a break in the clouds so I could see it! I had to get up really early this Tuesday for some nursery visits over near Kentucky, and spotted a great view of the moon before it disappeared as the sun was rising.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_EqvuFQSY/VBJFw2O-0LI/AAAAAAAAAuY/HjB4t2s8nMI/s1600/IMG_0584_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_EqvuFQSY/VBJFw2O-0LI/AAAAAAAAAuY/HjB4t2s8nMI/s1600/IMG_0584_2.JPG" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f10.0, 1/50, ISO 100</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBMRjhGYndc/VBJFwgr7NTI/AAAAAAAAAuU/hU83FLxzXeQ/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBMRjhGYndc/VBJFwgr7NTI/AAAAAAAAAuU/hU83FLxzXeQ/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f10.0, 1/50, ISO 100</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-91151432559367342062014-09-07T13:06:00.002-07:002014-09-07T13:16:50.745-07:00Top of the Roan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGxQMTGMBxs/VAywH3jxCrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/wamTouKvJfQ/s1600/IMG_9230_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGxQMTGMBxs/VAywH3jxCrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/wamTouKvJfQ/s1600/IMG_9230_2.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></div><br />Normally I don't think about fall until October, but with pumpkin-flavored everything starting to turn up around here I guess summer's about over, and I haven't really made a single post from my adventures this summer. I am excited for fall though, this will be the first time I experience "fall color" which we don't get a lot of down south. Things just go from green to yellow, to brown, while a lot of things actually stay green. I'm planning a lot of sight seeing trips for the next couple of months so that hopefully I'll have some fall pictures to share with you! But first, let me start recapping my summer.<br /><br />Date of Trip: 5/18/14<br /><br />Technically still spring, but I couldn't have adjusted any quicker to the warmer temperatures. These pictures were taken on top of Roan Mountain in Tennessee, at Carver's Gap and around the State Park. Roan Mountain State Park is actually south of the town of Roan Mountain, TN, along TN-143. The Park has numerous trails as well as a visitor's center, campgrounds, and amphitheater. If you continue south past the park along TN-143, you will keep going up in elevation until you reach Carver's Gap. Carver's Gap is right on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, and sits at over 5,000 ft in elevation. The Appalachian trail runs along the border between NC and TN and crosses Carver's Gap. Shane and I took a day trip up here to hike and run on the AT, but I was still recovering from a cold so it was mostly a hike. There are several gorgeous vantage points - several of which you can see for several miles out in all directions. I was sorry I didn't have a wide angle lens.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPxUWj6MTOc/VAyqtIQHPjI/AAAAAAAAArs/Lk_oxB3hf50/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zPxUWj6MTOc/VAyqtIQHPjI/AAAAAAAAArs/Lk_oxB3hf50/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f6.3, 1/500, ISO 80<br />Climbing up towards the bald</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcfEfF1Wg2Q/VAyquS4AORI/AAAAAAAAAr0/nWQkEf6hwEM/s1600/IMG_9225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcfEfF1Wg2Q/VAyquS4AORI/AAAAAAAAAr0/nWQkEf6hwEM/s1600/IMG_9225.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f6.3, 1/500, ISO 80<br />Still climbing upwards, north on the AT.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I love the color in this photo, as well as how well the clouds pop out of the sky. On my wish list is a good polarizing filter so that they don't come out too bright and unrealistic-looking though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGxQMTGMBxs/VAywH3jxCrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/wamTouKvJfQ/s1600/IMG_9230_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGxQMTGMBxs/VAywH3jxCrI/AAAAAAAAAs8/wamTouKvJfQ/s1600/IMG_9230_2.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f8.0, 1/500, ISO 80<br />One of the first outlooks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;Love the color in this one too; I cropped it to make it feel more panoramic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlAXgcD-6JU/VAyqv6Z4pXI/AAAAAAAAAsE/aM5LOq0zZS8/s1600/IMG_9240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlAXgcD-6JU/VAyqv6Z4pXI/AAAAAAAAAsE/aM5LOq0zZS8/s1600/IMG_9240.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.0, 1/500, ISO 80<br />A view of the AT to north, from the AT.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I love this spot on the trail. For a moment you forget you are in Tennessee and think you are in Switzerland or something. You can barely make out the AT trail climbing up the hill, towards Engine Gap.<br /><br />Again though, I think a polarizer would have helped with the fluorescent-looking clouds.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sl52ndHfkBM/VAyqxCTqwGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/9CmXURp-re0/s1600/IMG_9241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sl52ndHfkBM/VAyqxCTqwGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/9CmXURp-re0/s1600/IMG_9241.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/500, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>This is taken from the same spot as the above photo, but is looking straight down the AT instead of off to the side. Like I said, you've got 360 degrees of gorgeous views up here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHWATDqb2Hg/VAyqyCePMLI/AAAAAAAAAsU/2b_SG7__bII/s1600/IMG_9246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHWATDqb2Hg/VAyqyCePMLI/AAAAAAAAAsU/2b_SG7__bII/s1600/IMG_9246.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.0, 1/500, ISO 80<br />Same hill in the distance, climbing up towards Engine Gap, only now a little closer.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I would love to return to this spot (and many others up here) with a wide angle lens. The colors and scenery are beautiful but I feel cut off at the sides.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2Y4JGnc_6M/VAyqzUDLWDI/AAAAAAAAAsc/YKMfHzw3jgc/s1600/IMG_9301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2Y4JGnc_6M/VAyqzUDLWDI/AAAAAAAAAsc/YKMfHzw3jgc/s1600/IMG_9301.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/500, ISO 80<br />View from a rocky outcrop on the return hike.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMiQt7ix6aU/VAyq1k69NDI/AAAAAAAAAsk/wJk8uB5xs3I/s1600/IMG_9312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMiQt7ix6aU/VAyq1k69NDI/AAAAAAAAAsk/wJk8uB5xs3I/s1600/IMG_9312.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f4.0, 1/40, ISO 100<br />The "forest wonderland" section of trail.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;One of my favorite parts of the trail is a short section that winds in and immediately back out of an alpine forest. It is towards the beginning of the trail north from Carver's Gap parking lot. It reminds me of something out of those Narnia movies or something. Shane got to see it covered in snow when he went running up here by himself in April. His blog pictures are amazing too - <a href="http://trailswithshane.blogspot.com/2014/04/roan-mountain-photos.html" target="_blank">Shane's Roan Mountain Photos</a>.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_hPHfSpA2Y/VAyq3vJwlWI/AAAAAAAAAss/amNrSQ7SloA/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_hPHfSpA2Y/VAyq3vJwlWI/AAAAAAAAAss/amNrSQ7SloA/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f3.2, 1/160, ISO 80<br />Doe River as it runs past the visitor's center.</td></tr></tbody></table>After hiking and running at the top, we came back down to the state park area and walked around some of those trails looking for interesting plants. I don't consider myself a plant guru at all (ignore the job title!!!), I&nbsp; pretty much just take pictures of whatever I think is pretty, but Shane was on the hunt for orchids and other various-named species I can't recall. I believe we were on part of the Cloudland Trail.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O10jM3DXCDw/VAyz4749wrI/AAAAAAAAAtM/-nLm4f4U310/s1600/IMG_9335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O10jM3DXCDw/VAyz4749wrI/AAAAAAAAAtM/-nLm4f4U310/s1600/IMG_9335.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 200<br />Wild geranium - <i>Geranium maculatum</i><br />(and fly)</td></tr></tbody></table>I am not sure what causes it, but I don't like how really vivid colors come out almost neon in my photos, with overly sharp edges. I like the detail though.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FO-BIGq6VM/VAyz6r4_fjI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4hfd404W2Bk/s1600/IMG_9346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FO-BIGq6VM/VAyz6r4_fjI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4hfd404W2Bk/s1600/IMG_9346.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 100<br />Foam flower - <i>Tiarella cordifolia</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOej7FqCsZs/VAyz5Di-fSI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hycCD3SIfps/s1600/IMG_9340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOej7FqCsZs/VAyz5Di-fSI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hycCD3SIfps/s1600/IMG_9340.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 80<br />More wild geranium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAyJOHpsKEc/VAyz4a7HMgI/AAAAAAAAAtI/Kq7Kz_OmwvE/s1600/IMG_9344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAyJOHpsKEc/VAyz4a7HMgI/AAAAAAAAAtI/Kq7Kz_OmwvE/s1600/IMG_9344.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 100<br />More wild geranium, and fern...</td></tr></tbody></table>I really liked how the dense tree canopy above filtered enough light to help me avoid shadows and really harsh reflections, but no so much that I had to use flash.<br />&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHpR3ymf3aw/VAyz7tWvbxI/AAAAAAAAAto/-fm_a22F1X4/s1600/IMG_9347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHpR3ymf3aw/VAyz7tWvbxI/AAAAAAAAAto/-fm_a22F1X4/s1600/IMG_9347.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f3.5, 1/60, ISO 80<br />Creeping phlox - <i>Phlox stolonifera</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Enlarged, this photo looks more blurry than I thought it was but LCD screens are so hard to view in daylight.<br /><br /><br />So, hopefully I have inspired you to go visit Roan Mountain! Or at least to get out there and enjoy some nature :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-57861935532582659462014-08-09T19:03:00.000-07:002014-08-10T13:47:27.170-07:00Moab Memories<br />I am supposed to be writing a computer program right now for some friends in the research group I left earlier this year. As you can imagine, while doing such a task I ended up on Facebook. There I found out that Shane updated his running blog a week ago (and didn't tell me!) to include pictures and descriptions of all the fun he had chaperoning a highschool cross country team in Colorado a couple weeks ago! You can check it out <a href="http://trailswithshane.blogspot.com/2014/08/2014-wfhs-xc-high-altitude-trip.html?spref=fb" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I could tell everyone had a good time, not only because of the scenery but because of the company. And while I love having the freedom to go out and see all kinds of beautiful places out here, and the freedom to plan according to my schedule only, I sure do miss having company with me. So I figured while I sit here eating my almond butter by the spoonful straight from the jar, I'd take some time to remember a trip I really enjoyed with some good company, that was also out west!<br /><br />Date of Trip: November 8 - 11, 2013 <br /><br /><br /><br />Last November, Shane raced in the USATF National Half Marathon Championship in Moab, UT. He thoroughly enjoyed his race, and in addition to befriending a running celebrity, he placed 29th overall, which is pretty good considering the volume of runners and the altitude (I had trouble running more than 3 minutes or so). I didn't do any races, even though there was a 5K adventure race, but I enjoyed getting to see Shane run across the finish and trying to make him drink a whole lotta water when we met up again. Maybe instead of running I'll get into crewing...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bYi_xiDdzU/U-a-Kbr4tLI/AAAAAAAAAm4/NDWBzyzgYBo/s1600/IMG_6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bYi_xiDdzU/U-a-Kbr4tLI/AAAAAAAAAm4/NDWBzyzgYBo/s1600/IMG_6296.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F5.0, 1/320, ISO 80<br />View approaching race course </td></tr></tbody></table>It was pretty chilly in Moab in November, but it was super dry, so I could wear shorts in the 50s. I'm not a huge fan of deserts, but even though much of the vegetation here was scrubby, there were tons of trees turning a beautiful golden yellow (I'm a bad horticulturist for not taking the time to ID those trees).<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZbtskOTWeI/U-a-M468bXI/AAAAAAAAAnI/OIZETfpM12U/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZbtskOTWeI/U-a-M468bXI/AAAAAAAAAnI/OIZETfpM12U/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F4.5, 1/500, ISO 80<br />Beautiful tree specimen, with the light hitting it just right.</td></tr></tbody></table>The first day, Shane and I just ran and hiked around where we thought the race course would be. I don't think we actually found it but we had a good time. We were surrounded by other runners, bikers, and even saw a base jumper make his lunchtime flight!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w6whbOsSfM/U-a-KUMg9lI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Dq-NjTYIHb0/s1600/IMG_6429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5w6whbOsSfM/U-a-KUMg9lI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Dq-NjTYIHb0/s1600/IMG_6429.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F5.6, 1/500, ISO 80<br />Just trying to keep up in the altitude! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WovuP_pjUVg/U-a-c3fuHMI/AAAAAAAAAoc/xWCN83QT_VQ/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WovuP_pjUVg/U-a-c3fuHMI/AAAAAAAAAoc/xWCN83QT_VQ/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F8.0, 1/500, ISO 80</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBu9h0U2sD0/U-a-PuShmrI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Dcqc8Khvr20/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBu9h0U2sD0/U-a-PuShmrI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Dcqc8Khvr20/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F8.0, 1/640, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>Here are a couple shots of the town coming back from the mountains. Moab is basically a one-street town, with the main highway having mostly touristy shops and a tiny bit of surburbia off from the highway. It is a quaint little town filled with Indian and ranching culture. I like these photos because it captures the beauty you can see from the town amidst the little bit of development.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeG0eGCLCLs/U-bBeIKLLxI/AAAAAAAAApE/rTCm3R1oEmY/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeG0eGCLCLs/U-bBeIKLLxI/AAAAAAAAApE/rTCm3R1oEmY/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F6.3, 1/500, ISO80</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The afternoon after the race we went to Arches National Park and walked around. The drive into the park takes you past hundreds of enormous rock formations that look like God himself stacked them on top of each other. It was beautiful, I had never seen anything like it before.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtfcmDz5m7g/U-bL6OhTGII/AAAAAAAAApU/QwdB7-lyE24/s1600/IMG_6716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtfcmDz5m7g/U-bL6OhTGII/AAAAAAAAApU/QwdB7-lyE24/s1600/IMG_6716.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry picture taken from the car - rock formations in Arches NP at sunset.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9HoqxLH_Y/U-a-QKqFgkI/AAAAAAAAAnk/sx-KRM5OTzA/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g9HoqxLH_Y/U-a-QKqFgkI/AAAAAAAAAnk/sx-KRM5OTzA/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F5.6, 1/500, ISO80<br />View across landscape during hike at Arches NP.</td></tr></tbody></table>I really like the wide feeling I got in this photo, even though this wasn't anything close to a wide angle lens.&nbsp; Most of the time this camera makes me feel like everything got cut too narrow.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzY5gpvQnwY/U-a-RMRxjeI/AAAAAAAAAns/d96SNDAkG14/s1600/IMG_6723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzY5gpvQnwY/U-a-RMRxjeI/AAAAAAAAAns/d96SNDAkG14/s1600/IMG_6723.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F2.8, 1/125, ISO80<br />Mountains in the distance at dusk, heading out of Arches NP</td></tr></tbody></table>I probably could have cropped out some sky in this one. But I love how the mountains just glowed blue at that time of day.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wycRvMwfbMo/U-a_yj40hpI/AAAAAAAAAoo/PIKFBOTJ6_I/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wycRvMwfbMo/U-a_yj40hpI/AAAAAAAAAoo/PIKFBOTJ6_I/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F7.1, 1/500, ISO80</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The next day, we went to Canyonlands National Park and hiked the Syncline trail (the hardest rated one in the park). I like this shot because having a person stand there kind of gives you some perspective on how big this place was. You could see forever.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MwmUflaBF0/U-bAaNqWCsI/AAAAAAAAAow/idj8cB9A418/s1600/IMG_6803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MwmUflaBF0/U-bAaNqWCsI/AAAAAAAAAow/idj8cB9A418/s1600/IMG_6803.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F5.6, 1/500, ISO80</td></tr></tbody></table>This is a shot of the canyon that we hiked into...you can see it where the two rock formations come together. This was probably my scariest hiking moment to that date. I am very scared of heights and did not know that I would have to scale a very steep rock wall that day. I had a brief panic attack but thanks to a greater fear of getting left behind I made it.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhzdYhfqUNQ/U-bAapJUrcI/AAAAAAAAAo0/tflyk96PqUA/s1600/IMG_6885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhzdYhfqUNQ/U-bAapJUrcI/AAAAAAAAAo0/tflyk96PqUA/s1600/IMG_6885.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F5.0, 1/500, ISO80</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The prize, I love the color in this photo! I did saturate a tad but you can't manufacture color variety, and that moment in time had it. This was the view from the top at the end of the hike, so you can look out at the big crater you just spent the entire day hiking around in. It was surreal to see such a large space so far away, and yet know what it looks like down in there too!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66Gxajrh9sc/U-a-VuaRR_I/AAAAAAAAAoM/w_M6dFF-KqY/s1600/IMG_6892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66Gxajrh9sc/U-a-VuaRR_I/AAAAAAAAAoM/w_M6dFF-KqY/s1600/IMG_6892.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F4.5, 1/500, ISO80<br />Storm rolling in as we headed back to the car. </td></tr></tbody></table>I always love how dark skies make everything else in the photo more saturated. It's the one time I don't get really washed out pictures.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbqru9QmfjA/U-a-WadfPVI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J6FQIKNmkl4/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbqru9QmfjA/U-a-WadfPVI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J6FQIKNmkl4/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F4.0, 1/500, ISO80</td></tr></tbody></table>Last stop of the trip, Green River overlook. This was the windiest place I think I had ever been. But it was also surreal, the picture does not do justice to how expansive this view was. It was very humbling and made me feel very small.... Nice memory after you have put away several tablespoons of almond butter!!!<br /><br />This was a very special trip for me, and not only because of the views. Even though both of us had to make compromises throughout the trip, we got to experience a special kind of companionship that adds something unique to the experience that no amount of freedom can :)Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-51744643797995174652014-07-09T20:28:00.001-07:002014-07-09T20:28:09.601-07:00Ocoee and Thunder RockEver been so exhausted you want to cry? The third week in May did that to me. Two county visits at the Chattanooga end of the region and two days touring Huntsville, AL to plan a nursery tour kept me on the road from Monday to late Friday evening. Oh, and I got the flu that week too - so badly I couldn't talk at all on Thursday and Friday. But I had made plans earlier to camp in the region before coming home because I wanted to take every opportunity to explore surrounding trails when convenient. I even ordered a new tent and had it shipped to a store in Chattanooga so I could spend the weekend camping in the area - I couldn't back out! And actually, by Friday evening, the thought of driving 3.5 hours back home sounded a lot worse than setting up a tent in Ocoee half an hour a way. So I slept at Thunder Rock Campground in Ocoee that night.<br /><br />I actually felt a bit better the next morning - I think there is something about mountain air that clears you up. I was still pretty sick (and would be for another week), but well enough to go for a short hike. It was also nice not to feel like I needed to complete a 5 mile run and just take things easy. So I made it a photography day instead. <br /><br />It was overcast and threatening rain. I was actually surprised that I didn't get rained on because I was expecting to have to pick up my tent in the morning and go home. But it held off until after noon, and the cloudy sky made for some very pretty lighting on the trails.<br /><br />Date of Trip: May 17th, 2014<br /><br />Warning: Several of these probably look exactly the same to you. Sorry, but I just thought they all looked pretty and I couldn't choose! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F1n_YU816KY/U731CGyuDFI/AAAAAAAAAlI/YJ0C0WaZQ08/s1600/IMG_9132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F1n_YU816KY/U731CGyuDFI/AAAAAAAAAlI/YJ0C0WaZQ08/s1600/IMG_9132.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f4.0, 1/320, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>The area is full of hydroelectric power, and the Thunder Rock campground was at power house and dam #3. I like this view because of the variety of components both up close and far away (especially the mountains in the back). The trail system nearby was supposedly pretty extensive but for some reason I couldn't find the ones on the map I wanted to take. I blame the Dayquil. So I can't tell you the name of this trail, it's just one I found.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht7WQeeOmdA/U731Fddw8hI/AAAAAAAAAlY/6SOEWrRf5U8/s1600/IMG_9154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht7WQeeOmdA/U731Fddw8hI/AAAAAAAAAlY/6SOEWrRf5U8/s1600/IMG_9154.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>I liked how the canopy was dense enough so that the sky wasn't too brightly showing, and light bouncing off the wet leaves and plants actually made the trail "glow" in these pictures. As a result, the trail is more vivid, and you can see further down the trail than usual also.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RUkCv183uc/U731ERAuAAI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oilB4nJZ5GE/s1600/IMG_9155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RUkCv183uc/U731ERAuAAI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oilB4nJZ5GE/s1600/IMG_9155.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 250</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPId2AAd9Jw/U731Hp9kjRI/AAAAAAAAAlg/ZpNU68oGsVo/s1600/IMG_9156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPId2AAd9Jw/U731Hp9kjRI/AAAAAAAAAlg/ZpNU68oGsVo/s1600/IMG_9156.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 250</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PBNTApzuoo/U731J8B7oFI/AAAAAAAAAlo/bXlVhpCJnrA/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PBNTApzuoo/U731J8B7oFI/AAAAAAAAAlo/bXlVhpCJnrA/s1600/IMG_9157.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table>I especially like this one. The extra vegetation and ferns as well as the scaly bark of the tree add lots of texture.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjfRsHnKTww/U731LbrTL4I/AAAAAAAAAlw/xlOFCgztMSo/s1600/IMG_9158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjfRsHnKTww/U731LbrTL4I/AAAAAAAAAlw/xlOFCgztMSo/s1600/IMG_9158.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00X7eQLlt8Y/U731M0b7i4I/AAAAAAAAAl4/8U9obJuNOac/s1600/IMG_9164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00X7eQLlt8Y/U731M0b7i4I/AAAAAAAAAl4/8U9obJuNOac/s1600/IMG_9164.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/60, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>Playing with some macro settings on a flower spike.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tWFjxkxHTY/U731j4AJZWI/AAAAAAAAAmA/PJ8x2OeQ8mo/s1600/IMG_9182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tWFjxkxHTY/U731j4AJZWI/AAAAAAAAAmA/PJ8x2OeQ8mo/s1600/IMG_9182.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.0, 1/400, ISO 200</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I wanted so badly to find a fern frond unfolding but I couldn't. So I picked an axillary bud on this plant instead. Can't tell you what plant it is though. Again, Dayquil.<br />&nbsp; <br />There you have it! I had to run out of the woods as the wind was picking up because I didn't want to get my camera rained on. This is definitely a place I'll be coming back to.Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-33737775654850156482014-07-06T17:27:00.001-07:002014-07-06T17:27:13.297-07:00I'm back...and with some color!I didn't realize until today that I haven't posted anything in almost 4 months. I knew I had been putting off my blog for quite some time, but not that much time! There has been quite a change in temperature and surroundings since my last post. I'm happy to say that things have brightened up around here. Spring did finally arrive and was absolutely gorgeous, with blooming pears, redbuds, amelanchier, dogwoods, forsythia, and others. I had never seen so many colors at once!<br /><br />Right when the weather started warming up, work picked up and kept me pretty busy. I was also busy on the weekends trying to enjoy as much of the beautiful weather as possible, and didn't realize how much of a backlog I had on all my pictures. Although adjusting and feeling at home is still quite difficult, I have become more comfortable with this region of the country and have enjoyed going on little road trips just about every weekend. Staying out and about has helped me forget how far away and lonely I feel sometimes, but it is really nice to sit still today and actually take time to absorb all the places I've gone recently. I've honestly barely had much time to reflect on any of these trips, and I can tell I need to because my adventure outings are starting to become routine as exhaustion starts to make me focus on getting through the trip instead of really experiencing it. Part of a great experience is getting to share it so hopefully I'll be getting some posts together about each trip in the days or weeks to come. <br /><br />Ironically I don't have great spring pictures to show you but I've scrapped together some that I think are decent just so you can get an idea of the colors I saw. These are all from the April time frame. Better pictures are coming in future posts!<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTp_XWbLSoc/U7niUe5AldI/AAAAAAAAAi8/B6g_2a7SB80/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTp_XWbLSoc/U7niUe5AldI/AAAAAAAAAi8/B6g_2a7SB80/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f2.5, 1/1600, ISO 80</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Playing around with some macro setting. Pink dogwood at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens. The light was a bit harsh that day, but I like the vivid pink and yellow against the brown background. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-3111t-1GA/U7nib1RmoNI/AAAAAAAAAjE/3gR23PqlzJo/s1600/IMG_8638_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-3111t-1GA/U7nib1RmoNI/AAAAAAAAAjE/3gR23PqlzJo/s1600/IMG_8638_2.JPG" height="566" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/200, ISO 100</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This was also at the Knoxville Botanical Garden. A Japanese maple's first flush of growth, a brilliant orange-red. A shed was not the background of my choice and the sunlight on the bench is a bit harsh but the tree had beautiful form and color, and I framed it as best I could.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMkx2BUZHRQ/U7nirY_f6xI/AAAAAAAAAjM/lunrsDYQxtc/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMkx2BUZHRQ/U7nirY_f6xI/AAAAAAAAAjM/lunrsDYQxtc/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f4.5, 1/250, ISO 160</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Look familiar? It's Warrior's Path bike trails, only flushed out with growth. What I love about running trails is getting to see them change throughout the seasons. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-TOLTs2nSk/U7nitR0l32I/AAAAAAAAAjU/2JTEWECNpXk/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-TOLTs2nSk/U7nitR0l32I/AAAAAAAAAjU/2JTEWECNpXk/s1600/IMG_8827.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f4.5, 1/250, ISO 160</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Another section of trail at Warrior's Path. I am glad to finally see blue sky, although the green color in the mid-ground is a bit overexposed in the two preceding photos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9nM9vbD3pQ/U7njLbIUgGI/AAAAAAAAAjc/qXPLUF3yox8/s1600/IMG_8809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9nM9vbD3pQ/U7njLbIUgGI/AAAAAAAAAjc/qXPLUF3yox8/s1600/IMG_8809.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f5.6, 1/500, ISO 160</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Not much of a composition but I wanted you to see some of the color on the trails. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but use your imagination to see a forest with not much green, but tons of white, pink, yellow, and purple...that was my spring!<br /><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-54371327037014665552014-03-15T20:27:00.001-07:002014-03-16T10:14:33.891-07:00Some R&RWell I made it through my first week at work! I have to say, it was quite overwhelming. Extension is very different from research, and adjusting to the social overload at work and complete lack of social activity in my personal life has been tough. It's like my world has been flipped, but hopefully only temporarily. To say I found myself in tears a few times this week is an understatement, so by this morning I was ready to just go out and do something that always lifts my spirits. A good run through the woods.<br /><br />Warrior's Path State Park is just a half-hour drive from my apartment, in Kingsport, just north of Johnson City. To get to the closest trail longer than a mile in Baton Rouge is the same amount of time, so it was no big deal. The park has a mountain bike trail system that is right off of Interstate 81, but you wouldn't know it while you were out there. This is my favorite trail in Tennessee so far; it reminds me slightly of the Homochitto Forest trails in Mississippi, except not as extensive. There were lots of great views of trees and blankets of fallen leaves. Hopefully, the mostly orange and brown photos aren't boring you too much yet. I will have to dig through some older, more colorful things here soon!<br /><br />Date of trip: March 15, 2014<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYoovhsIkI/UyUMOosGMqI/AAAAAAAAATQ/r9BdvKEnWfQ/s1600/IMG_8102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfYoovhsIkI/UyUMOosGMqI/AAAAAAAAATQ/r9BdvKEnWfQ/s1600/IMG_8102.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/100, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes:</i> A lot of contrast, the white sycamore bark stood out amongst the gray and brown.<br /><i>Dislike:</i> They say not to center things in photography, but that's usually where I like to have my trails...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWB2Z4HRFck/UyULrVYpQ7I/AAAAAAAAAR8/hJvPr2aXd94/s1600/IMG_8073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWB2Z4HRFck/UyULrVYpQ7I/AAAAAAAAAR8/hJvPr2aXd94/s1600/IMG_8073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/160, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>Likes:</i> I've found that nearly every trail I have ever run, I have to cross power lines. You'd think they'd interrupt the solitude of nature, but they actually almost always give me great views since the trees are cut away!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EBR3N5g68s/UyULphamMZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/vEjgQ-DvmuI/s1600/IMG_8070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EBR3N5g68s/UyULphamMZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/vEjgQ-DvmuI/s1600/IMG_8070.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 5.6, 1/125, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>Likes:</i> Different shades of orange and lots of contrast.<br /><i>Dislikes: </i>Overexposure in the sky to the left.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1vCad5u-IE/UyULvMaA48I/AAAAAAAAASM/4ux2Xe7BloM/s1600/IMG_8083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1vCad5u-IE/UyULvMaA48I/AAAAAAAAASM/4ux2Xe7BloM/s1600/IMG_8083.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/100, ISO 80</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>Likes</i>: I actually had about three shots of this spot that I wanted to post, it was such a pretty spot! The mix of bark patterns and the light mixed with shadows topped with a blue sky made me stop dead in my tracks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1emgM6hTwRk/UyULyBJ45xI/AAAAAAAAASc/4yr8T1g_4qQ/s1600/IMG_8084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1emgM6hTwRk/UyULyBJ45xI/AAAAAAAAASc/4yr8T1g_4qQ/s1600/IMG_8084.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/100, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Another of the above shot in portrait. Hehehe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Kb50jEDC9M/UyUL0X2xuSI/AAAAAAAAASk/o8NiPT4vnkM/s1600/IMG_8090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Kb50jEDC9M/UyUL0X2xuSI/AAAAAAAAASk/o8NiPT4vnkM/s1600/IMG_8090.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/60, ISO 80</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>Likes:</i> Mix of blue and the contrasting shadows on the expansive leaf blanket.<br /><i>Dislikes:</i> What made me stop here was how far I could see up the hill in the distance, this picture just does not do it justice!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37MAFf3a_4E/UyUL2WD0NrI/AAAAAAAAASs/orJ-_SmSwp4/s1600/IMG_8092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37MAFf3a_4E/UyUL2WD0NrI/AAAAAAAAASs/orJ-_SmSwp4/s1600/IMG_8092.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/60, ISO 80<br />Here is a view from the creek that runs along the bottom of the preceding photo. While crossing it, I stopped to snap a picture downstream.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>Likes:</i> Contrast and blue sky, and the way the trees frame the water.<br /><i>Dislikes:</i> Little bit of overexposure in sky.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahy15tma9nA/UyUL7U_wOOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8vaVmyLfCmA/s1600/IMG_8094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahy15tma9nA/UyUL7U_wOOI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8vaVmyLfCmA/s1600/IMG_8094.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 8.0, 1/60, ISO 80<br />Same spot as preceding picture, but looking upstream.</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes:</i> Good mix of colors. Also the fore-, mid-, and backgrounds give you plenty to stare at.<br /><i>Dislikes: </i>The rocky area at the bottom came out pretty dark so I had to lighten it up a bit. Shooting on very bright days is hard!<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ba3BC-DbNow/UyUL4-kwwRI/AAAAAAAAAS0/03yBk9E1jPg/s1600/IMG_8123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ba3BC-DbNow/UyUL4-kwwRI/AAAAAAAAAS0/03yBk9E1jPg/s1600/IMG_8123.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 5.6, 1/200, ISO 80<br />And I'll end with a bridge post! I found one teeny tiny bridge towards the end.</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: Contrast and the white on the rocks. And something to look at in each of the fore-, mid-, and backgrounds.<br /><br /><br />I also wanted to mention that I really respect the mountain biking community! They are a group of people who are passionate about what they do, and passionate enough to do something about it. Everywhere I go they are building and maintaining trails, and trail databases, and most that I have run into are really friendly and welcoming. I use their resources a lot because they are so organized, so kudos to them! I'll be looking for ways to give back!<br /><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-16999200668637026982014-03-09T13:31:00.003-07:002014-03-09T18:14:08.044-07:00New AdventuresIt's been quite a hiatus! I recently moved to Eastern Tennessee for a job, and between wrapping up the old job and settling in my new home, my photo hobby has fallen by the wayside. I arrived here last Monday with my boyfriend, sister, and her boyfriend, and they helped me get moved in. They could only stay the night, however, and therefore I have spent the&nbsp; majority of the week by myself, trying to make my apartment a home. What used to be excitement and eagerness has now dwindled to some pretty severe homesickness, especially since Sundays usually meant going to Grace Life and a lunch date. I thought about making a post about the several trips I've made in LA last month, but I think today it would be best for me to keep my eyes forward and come back to those at another time. <br /><br />Today's pictures come to you from my first enjoyable adventures here in Tennessee. I knew this area would be a trail heaven before I moved here, but what I wasn't expecting was the total grayness I would encounter. In Louisiana, we have at least <i>something</i> green every month of the year, even if it is only weeds. I saw no such weeds on my adventures; however, I did manage to find one tuft of grass, two fern fronds, and a patch of moss on this particular outing, which was on a much warmer and sunnier day than my first trail run here in TN. But I'll save that day's pictures for when the weather warms up.<br /><br />These are taken on a trail run at Persimmon Ridge Park in Jonesborough, TN. The steepness really killed my hips today so it was really a trail walk/run. It's a beautiful park with lots to do, including camping, disc golf, and softball, and you can even see a water park from one point on the trail (which actually seemed pretty strange, not your usual view from the trail).<br /><br />Date of Trip: March 8th, 2014<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbMOYXLlbaI/UxzJX_qXONI/AAAAAAAAARA/TgOB8QAnqF8/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbMOYXLlbaI/UxzJX_qXONI/AAAAAAAAARA/TgOB8QAnqF8/s1600/IMG_8027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 4.5, 1/500<br />Right now you can see right through the trees to the countryside. </td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: There is still a lot of color despite all the fallen dead leaves, since you see into some pastureland beyond the trees.<br /><i>Dislike</i>: Mild overexposure from clouds in upper right.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEgTGI9YFE/UxzIbX0VPZI/AAAAAAAAAQU/zVj_edbpSOI/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyEgTGI9YFE/UxzIbX0VPZI/AAAAAAAAAQU/zVj_edbpSOI/s1600/IMG_8010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 5.6, 1/320<br />Of course you know I have to sneak some bridge pictures in there!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Like</i>: The horizontal curve of the bridge is a break from the normal vertical plane of a forest.<br /><i>Dislike</i>: Messy area to the left of the bridge.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HgTG4iNBgA/UxzIbVVR0GI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/8qbojT59HPw/s1600/IMG_8011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HgTG4iNBgA/UxzIbVVR0GI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/8qbojT59HPw/s1600/IMG_8011.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 5.6, 1/320<br />Bridge in the Walter's loop section of the trail.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: The sinewy bridge leading your eyes to the trees of the forest beyond, and the contrast that the bridge shadows provide.<br /><i>Dislikes</i>: Nope, I really just like this one!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81NYttA2xXQ/UxzIdKCaRwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/-fjmin7DqdE/s1600/IMG_8014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81NYttA2xXQ/UxzIdKCaRwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/-fjmin7DqdE/s1600/IMG_8014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 4.0, 1/320<br />Same bridge in Walter's loop</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: Again the bridge leading you to look at the forest beyond, the visibility of of the thick blanket of leaves amongst the trees.<br /><i>Dislike</i>: Just that bushy shrub in the lower right corner. Looks messy and is blocking a tree trunk, which I think would have looked better.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vN5_ovq9r8o/UxzImpMmeKI/AAAAAAAAAQo/r_UBaYvEmGY/s1600/IMG_8016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vN5_ovq9r8o/UxzImpMmeKI/AAAAAAAAAQo/r_UBaYvEmGY/s1600/IMG_8016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 5.6, 1/500<br />View of cows on private pastureland just beyond the trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: The branches hanging across the top, and the fact that the cow is looking at me. I used to stop and watch the cows for a little while when I got to the very back of Hard Tail Hell loop at the Hooper Road Park in Baton Rouge, and this moment kind of reminded me of that.<br /><i>Dislikes</i>: Messiness off to the left.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UI8CL-iGAWk/UxzIoAlVALI/AAAAAAAAAQw/F8j61Rjdrvw/s1600/IMG_8029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UI8CL-iGAWk/UxzIoAlVALI/AAAAAAAAAQw/F8j61Rjdrvw/s1600/IMG_8029.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fstop 4.5, 1/640<br />View of climbing trail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Likes</i>: The contrast in this picture, between the shadows, the dark trunk, and the golden leaves still on the (birch?) tree on the right. I also like how the trail curves off to the upper left against a blue sky.<br /><i>Dislikes</i>: Not much here! Maybe a <i>little</i> more blue in the sky would be nice :)<br /><br />Well there you have it, my update to you from a new home. My home home will always be Louisiana, but I intend to have and share some wonderful adventures here in the lower Appalachian region! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-72391849653040817602014-02-07T14:08:00.000-08:002014-08-12T19:03:32.404-07:00Swampy BridgesRemember when I said hopefully I'll have prettier trail captures on my next Chicot visit? Well, I didn't expect to be going back again so soon, but this past weekend we celebrated Shane's birthday with a camping trip to his favorite state park. You can see my first post from Chicot State Park <a href="http://amblingadventures.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />This time, while Shane was completing his 20-mile loop, I drove myself to the North Landing Trailhead and started my run from there. I actually did get to see several bridges on this run, but didn't quite make it to the most picturesque one, which I hear is at about mile 19; I made it just past mile 8. One day maybe I can start training like a beast and be able to see the whole park in one run!<br /><br />Date of trip: Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2014<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Z-3fu0dFFM/UvRIslFKjSI/AAAAAAAAAOI/sLXHBw_ctZc/s1600/IMG_7718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Z-3fu0dFFM/UvRIslFKjSI/AAAAAAAAAOI/sLXHBw_ctZc/s1600/IMG_7718.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 4.0, 1/200<br />Less than a mile north of North Landing Trailhead</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>What I like: The scene of the bridge going into the trees. Also the random new boards that add contrast to the bridge.<br />What I don't like: Washed out sky and dead material in the foreground.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1wF07e-YPM/UvRVsfBLz4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/9vL88sICyao/s1600/IMG_7765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1wF07e-YPM/UvRVsfBLz4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/9vL88sICyao/s1600/IMG_7765.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 4.0, 1/200<br />Bridge just before the part of the trail that winds around the lake levee</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i>What I like</i>: I like trees in the winter because you can see their branch structures. And I like moss hanging on dormant trees.<br /><i>What I don't like</i>: Too much gray, too many trees here. Washed out sky.<br /><br />And there you have it. I probably won't have more Chicot pictures until my mileage is waaaay up, or in the spring time if we take a kayak out on the lake. I would LOVE to paddle the 8 miles of canoe trail here!Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-73924805586390900222014-02-03T11:48:00.001-08:002014-08-12T19:03:59.328-07:00Sneaux Days!About every 15-20 years, southern Louisiana gets an extremely unusual bout of cold weather. The last major freezes that occurred with comparable severity were in the late 80s, and took out most of the state's remaining citrus industry. This year, we had <i>two</i> arctic blasts come through within a 7-day period that dumped frozen rain, sleet, and some snow. The first storm was mild and short-lived, but was enough to close the roads for a day. When I heard a second, more severe storm was coming through, I headed up to St. Francisville, where I knew I would get to see more of this rare, white wintry precip. Although this decision kept me up there for the next 3 days, I got to see what I wanted...white trails!<br /><br />Taking pictures of snow is a new experience for me. It was hard to get good exposure on everything else without washed out snow and skies. Most of these pictures have had the shadows slightly darkened. <br /><br />Date of storm: January 28 - 30, 2014<br /><br />These photos are of "The Beast" trail in St. Francisville. This is my favorite place to run in Louisiana, and where my boyfriend, <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://trailswithshane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shane Walsh</a><span id="goog_678099831"></span><span id="goog_678099832"></span></span>, does most of his training. It is a 6-mile(ish) loop that runs along a creek and through some pine and deciduous forest. To see it covered in snow was a real treat!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ZtIh5pVwY/Uu_eYNxFfmI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/AZyMhZsWqX8/s1600/IMG_7509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0ZtIh5pVwY/Uu_eYNxFfmI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/AZyMhZsWqX8/s1600/IMG_7509.jpg" height="640" width="467" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 6.3, 1/400<br />Last section of the trail, runs along an elevated ridge.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<i>What I like:</i> I love the shadows on the snow, and the two trees framing the trail. This is my favorite from this group of photos.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEJM11fRN7U/Uu_enfv7yrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Z5xm7aZkLkg/s1600/IMG_7539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SEJM11fRN7U/Uu_enfv7yrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Z5xm7aZkLkg/s1600/IMG_7539.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 5.6, 1/80</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> The length of visible winding trail and the relatively clean understory! Winter is really the only time you can see the forest floor in southern Louisiana. It also helps that this was a mostly-pine area of the trail.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> Washed out sky<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vig1BPUM2SI/Uu_eyQDXlaI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/CrXPiLxPteA/s1600/IMG_7547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vig1BPUM2SI/Uu_eyQDXlaI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/CrXPiLxPteA/s1600/IMG_7547.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 6.3, 1/80<br />Not sure on the particular species of this stand, but is a unique and recognizable part of the trail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> the smaller stand of trees framing the trail in this area. Plus clean understory and a nice curving trail for the eye to follow.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> Again, washed out sky.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb8AkI5QFpM/Uu_f2v7wFRI/AAAAAAAAALI/3mTsN-80wCs/s1600/IMG_7591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mb8AkI5QFpM/Uu_f2v7wFRI/AAAAAAAAALI/3mTsN-80wCs/s1600/IMG_7591.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 8.0, 1/320</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> Winding trail, shadows across the snow, clear sight of trail.<br /><i>What I don't like: </i>Bit of lens reflection in the middle, and washed out sky.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXeqvtuA45g/Uu_gBN-PbXI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LizhfmreR40/s1600/IMG_7646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXeqvtuA45g/Uu_gBN-PbXI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LizhfmreR40/s1600/IMG_7646.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 6.3, 1/80<br />Another favorite part of the trail, a bridge sandwiched between two long inclines</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> Snow covered bridge in the focus, with a trail to lead the eyes up and away.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> SKY<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiygZCE_V54/Uu_gZkKzCMI/AAAAAAAAALw/lr_mPtrCuzM/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiygZCE_V54/Uu_gZkKzCMI/AAAAAAAAALw/lr_mPtrCuzM/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 4.5, 1/640</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> Less washed out sky, clean foreground, with some color in the mid- and backgrounds.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> I wish I could have moved that tree to the other side of the trail. It's a beautiful trunk, but I don't like how it seems to be the focal point.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5gWWjdAc88/Uu_gvAKr2cI/AAAAAAAAAMA/EFMUjgJGCvc/s1600/IMG_7682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5gWWjdAc88/Uu_gvAKr2cI/AAAAAAAAAMA/EFMUjgJGCvc/s1600/IMG_7682.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 4.0, 1/200<br />Longest bridge at the beginning of the third section of trail. My favorite bridge because you can see so much of the landscape around you from it.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> The bridge and continuing trail, and the faint layer of white on everything is a good contrast without being enough to cause my typical exposure imbalances.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> Washed out sky!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-2YnHwy1O4/Uu_h-d0hB6I/AAAAAAAAAMk/yHA-0MHsKZY/s1600/IMG_7608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-2YnHwy1O4/Uu_h-d0hB6I/AAAAAAAAAMk/yHA-0MHsKZY/s1600/IMG_7608.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 8.0, 1/160</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Again I like the faint white layer, clean floor, and some actual detail in the clouds and sky.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-se3hrBILU4w/Uu_igfnWQcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/kxkqIzSdDuU/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-se3hrBILU4w/Uu_igfnWQcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/kxkqIzSdDuU/s1600/IMG_7685.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 6.3, 1/50</td></tr></tbody></table>I am a real fan of these bridges! I will have to get more creative with my bridge shooting style after this. The only thing I don't like here is again that washed out sky. If anyone has any suggestions on how to handle days like these I'd love to hear them!Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-85221872559022514432014-01-28T18:23:00.002-08:002014-01-28T20:01:10.482-08:00Aloha! Skies and ValleysI'm reaching way back today and sharing some of my earliest digital photos! These are from a family vacation to Hawaii back in 2008. These would have been taken with my first Canon Powershot. I believe I would have been about 20 years old. This was our second trip to Hawaii where we visited Kauai and Oahu.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Date of trip: June 2008<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zzWTYw9QsQ/UuX_oBTdr6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ZP6_A5aVUT4/s1600/IMG_7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zzWTYw9QsQ/UuX_oBTdr6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ZP6_A5aVUT4/s1600/IMG_7586.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 5.6, 1/1500<br />Hanalei Valley, Kauai</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> I like the colors and the range of distances captured here.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> I wish the mountains in the back were more clear and less washed out. The furthest mountains and sky look overexposed.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9AVHiMMtikA/UuX_ohttXcI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ItffBJ7O7GQ/s1600/IMG_7751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9AVHiMMtikA/UuX_ohttXcI/AAAAAAAAAEU/ItffBJ7O7GQ/s1600/IMG_7751.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fstop 5.6, 1/1500<br />Overlook along the highway through the Kolekole Pass.</td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like:</i> Again I like that I have a fore-, mid-, and background here.<br /><i>What I don't like: </i>The picture is very grainy and overexposed on the right side of the sky. I also wish the colors were richer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37399538949474645.post-39232043759512907592014-01-26T15:17:00.000-08:002014-08-12T19:04:54.389-07:00Happy New Year!What better way to begin a new year than with trails and camping? This has been an unusually cold winter for Louisiana. As a runners and lovers of the outdoors, we have welcomed the opportunity to enjoy mother nature without the heat, humidity, and bugs. To celebrate the beginning of 2014, Shane and I spent the year's first weekend camping in Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, LA. The low for the night was around 25 with the next day's high in the low 60's. What is great about this park are the extensive trail system, huge lake, and arboretum. Since we only stayed one night, trail running and hiking were all we had time for. However, there is plenty of fishing, boating, and wildlife watching to enjoy here on our next visit.<br /><br />Date of Trip: January 3 - 4, 2014<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChFZA-YTdoQ/UuWQjsk1n_I/AAAAAAAAABU/NP2JZn4pMng/s1600/IMG_7365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChFZA-YTdoQ/UuWQjsk1n_I/AAAAAAAAABU/NP2JZn4pMng/s1600/IMG_7365.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fstop 4 , 1/12</i>5</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cypress forest at the shore of Lake Chicot. View from trail between South and Walker Branch trailheads.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i>What I like:</i> I love the squiggly reflection in this photo as well as a brilliant blue sky. Many times I have difficulty with washed out skies unless the rest of the picture is way too dark.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> Although there are three distinct color parts to this picture I wish the scene had a little more color variation. But that's winter for ya.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tp_aDp4j3iA/UuWQk74IzhI/AAAAAAAAABg/UiMsugEJMcw/s1600/IMG_7368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tp_aDp4j3iA/UuWQk74IzhI/AAAAAAAAABg/UiMsugEJMcw/s1600/IMG_7368.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fstop 4, 1/320</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Again I like how the water and the sky turned out with crisp colors; however, it would have been nice if the green parts in the foreground were a little brighter. This was a shady spot though.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwIybT4m2h0/UuWQl5w71tI/AAAAAAAAABk/7jW2nyAs3GA/s1600/IMG_7381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwIybT4m2h0/UuWQl5w71tI/AAAAAAAAABk/7jW2nyAs3GA/s1600/IMG_7381.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fstop 6.3, 1/500</i><br />Lake Chicot from pedestrian bridge, south of Walker Branch TH.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like: </i>I love the trees of Louisiana, especially in the winter when you can see the branch structures.<br /><i>What I don't like: </i>For some reason the web displays this picture with way too much red tone. I also think I could have cropped a lot of the sky out for a 1/3 - 2/3 split at the tree line.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GVynA1G7-w/UuWQ1YLKh3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/jZLLqh2aTrE/s1600/IMG_7402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GVynA1G7-w/UuWQ1YLKh3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/jZLLqh2aTrE/s1600/IMG_7402.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fstop 4, 1/60</i><br />View from trail near the North Landing TH. </td></tr></tbody></table><i>What I like: </i>I like this particular part of the trail and the logs that cut across it.<br /><i>What I don't like:</i> Forest floors in the South tend to look very messy. Sky is slightly washed out as well. At some point I will muster up the discipline to make a dawn photo shoot!<br /><br />There are <i>much</i> prettier parts of the trail at Chicot; however, at my mileage I am currently unable to reach those parts easily! Hopefully you will see them on my next post from Chicot.Maureen Thiessenhttps://plus.google.com/110813991004132402988noreply@blogger.com0